editing basics
An overview of the different services i offer
Developmental Editing
I also call this “big picture” editing. This is an overview of the entire manuscript in which we find the structural and conceptual strengths and weaknesses and map out a plan to move forward. This usually involves examining the goals, audience, arguments, and thesis. This could mean reordering sections, finding areas for clarification, or making needed cuts. I love developmental editing because it always results in a deep, fresh understanding of the work.
Line editing
Line editing is smaller in scale than developmental editing, but not as minute as copyediting. This often requires recasting confusing sentences and checking for consistencies overall. This is a great step when the work is structurally sound, but some arguments or sections are clunky or unclear.
copyEditing
Is it “copy editor” or “copyeditor”? I would love to go down that rabbit hole with you—but for now, just know that this happens when the manuscript is no longer going through growing pains or identity crises, and I start to change smaller (but no less important) things like repetitive words, incorrect punctuation, awkward wording, and some formatting issues. This is usually the stage when references and citations must be formatted and fact checked. Copyediting is what most people think of when they think of editing, and I’m often approached with copyediting projects by both individuals and organizations.
Proofreading
This is the final step. Often confused with copyediting, the key difference is that proofreading happens when a manuscript is typeset and I’m only looking for only small, minute changes in formatting or grammar—anything that slipped through the cracks or was not fixed in the copyedit.
I often work with the designer, publisher, or marketing team when I’m proofreading.
Fact checking, citation management
& research Assistance
Both individual clients and organizations often ask for help with fact checking and citations. This usually does not entail deep journalistic fact checking (that’s its own job), but it requires looking up things that are “common knowledge,” like When is Judy Garland’s birthday? It’s June 10, 1922! Citations also require me to fact check things like page numbers and publication information. Many clients need extensive help formatting citations, which is part and parcel of my role as editor.
I also have special experience working with archival material, and librarians are some of my close colleagues. I can help guide, troubleshoot, and sleuth out answers to problems that come up when researching in special collections and libraries—digital and analog.